I also have a 2003 accord but i 2 door it is a 4 cyl, but my breaks are very touchy also. my breakes also make a weird sound when i step on them to hard..i thought it was only me . i have to bring my to the dealer..

 

The 3-yr/36,000 mile warranty covers your car systems and parts with the exception of items of natural wear. It is within reason that by the 29,000 mark, the ORIGINAL brake pads would be fully worn, and even that with heavy use the brake rotors could be deformed.

HOWEVER--your case should be viewed differently if brake pads have not had 29,000 miles of use because they have been replaced more than once during that mileage. Also since there is a known issue with the braking system, they should be fixed for you again as a demonstration of good will.

It sounds like your dealer is being a real problem about this, and if I were you I would get in touch with Honda Customer Care.

Out of curiousity, I'd like to know if those of us with braking problems have a Japanese-built (VIN begins with J) or American-built. Mine is Japanese.

 

I reported problems with my brakes at 3500 miles. The dealer didn't do anything about it. At 7000 miles, I took it to another dealer and they replaced the pads and resurfaced the rotors. I still felt a slight vibration when lightly braking at high speeds and reported that. The dealer then installed new rear shoes and resurfaced the rear drums (I have a 4cyl LX coupe - Drum brakes in the back). The problem went away. Now with 11,500 miles on my car, the rotors feel like they're warping again though it's not as bad as the first time. I wish they would have replaced the original rotors rather than simply resurface them.


Anyone know if a set of Powerslot Rotors and a new set of pads would fix the problem for good, or is there an inherent problem with the design of the front brakes in general that will cause any rotor brand (Honda or Aftermarket) to warp?

 

Our '03 LX is from USA (1HGCM5...) It's only got about 4000 miles yet, & the brakes were REALLY grabby but they haven't started pulsing. It's like they're way over-boosted, especially when they're cold. They've always been smooth, but the grabbyness has been gradually getting better. I know I'll be watching the rate of pad wear...

People have said there was a major redesign of the brakes for the 7th-gen. I'd be real interested to know exactly what that's about, because they sure look the same as the '98. Single-piston, sliding caliper, just like the 6th-gen. Maybe radically different pad material??

 

The 7th gen rotors are supposed to be bigger, but that certainly doesn't explain the problems we're having.

Don't worry about the grabby. At 9,500 they have the perfect feel and are MUCH easier to modulate.

 

Hey thanks you guys for all of the helpful advise! I took my car into the dealer yesterday and they ordered the "newly designed" break pads which are supposed to be a permenant fix to the problem. I am picking it up this afternoon and I will let eveyone know how they are working. Thanks again for all of the posts, you have all been a big help!

 

I really hope everything works out well for you. It's cool when the forum works like this.

 

I've got the same exact issue. High pitched squeals and then some low grinding noise.

I've taken my car back to the dealer three times but every time they said they couldn't detect any problems. So I decided to try another dealer and they said the same thing. Is there an official recall on the brake pads that I can tell them about? It's driving me nuts.

 

There certainly is, but it isn't a major recall--just a Technical Service Bulletin. I don't have access to the text at the moment, but here is the number of the TSB: "TSB 00-088 JUN 03 Brakes - Brake Disc Refinishing Guideline" I'm pretty sure that's the one.

You can go to your dealer and ask to see to see that TSB number. They keep them all there and they will show it to you unless they are shady. It tells them that they are authorized by AHMC to replace the pads with ones of better material and also resurface your rotors.

 

Wow, I'm glad I found this thread. I was about to go out and get some new rotors and pads for my wife's car.
She's got about 12,000 miles on it so far and when I drove it the other day I noticed the brakes were touchy and the rotors already seemed warped... But I didn't think it was her driving because the 2002 Accord she had before this 2003 one, she had almost 50,000 on it and the brakes were still great...

I'm taking it to the dealership this week.
Thanks!